Change of Origin - Frame of Reference

Cartesian system

Do you remember having learnt about 2 Axes in Coordinate Geometry -- X ( Horizontal ) & Y ( Vertical ) Axes, with their intersection point at (0 , 0 ) coordinates , called as the Origin – ‘ O ‘ 

Assigning (0 , 0 ) as coordinates , to ‘ O’ - the origin ,is taking a position – creating a frame of reference .

This helps us to ascertain position of other points ‘ from ‘ this Origin . e.g. a point P which is away from O by 3 horizontal units & 4 vertical units is designated as ( 3 , 4 ) as its coordinates 

·       This is a ‘ relative ‘ & not an absolute position . ( 3 ,4 ) are not point P’s intrinsic characteristics ,but is a measure of its distance ,from the designated point of origin O , ( 0 , 0 ) Hence labelling of point P as ( 3 ,4 ) is a function of two underlying factors : (i) Assign an arbitrary point as the origin & (ii) Measurement scale ( defining what distance forms 1 unit ) When these two working factors are altered ; how we view (coordinates / ‘ label ‘ of ) point P will change

Perceptual Position – Point of origin

Interestingly this analogy explains , how we view ( measure or judge ) each other ; on both parameters : (i) Reference point –Origin( our self ) & (ii) Measurement scale ( our judgement ) . Each of us actually has her / him own “ Co-ordinate axes “ with self defined  “ measurement scale “

In understanding people , each of us takes self as the staring point – as given … i.e. the point from where the ‘ measurement ‘ begins with Self as the Absolute Truth --Pure and Unbiased ( 0 , 0 ) , point of reference . We always ‘ measure ‘ or calibrate other person vis-à-vis who we are & where we are ( i.e. the position we take )

Therefore we always work from a position that “ I am right “ & then decide who is ‘ right ‘ or ‘ wrong depending on the ‘ distance ‘ or closeness of other’s views from ours -- Those who agree with us are right & those who do not , are wrong . What we do not understand or agree with ; we dismiss or discount .

Comparative Assessment

The extent of legitimacy or credibility we accord to a person is based on the distance he / she stands from the position we take . So what we take as our ‘ True Assessment ‘ of the other person ; is always a ‘ relative ‘ assessment of that person vis-à-vis our assumptions / beliefs & position on a matter—regardless of sincerity of the exercise .

Nonetheless what is only a relative measurement for an absolute position can be an absolute measure of a relative positions or “ comparative “ assessment between two positions . 

      When we are required to make a ( comparative ) choice between Persons A & B – we actually do a relative measurement of each A & B , vis-à-vis one fixed reference ( Self ) framework. But when we compare the assessments of A & B in a comparative view ; since both had a common reference point ( which is ‘Self’ ) it provides most authentic comparative choice                         

  Perceptual Position – Measurement scale 

Another factor in assessment process , apart from the starting point is the measurement scale we use . We have our own view on what forms 1 unit of measurement ( e.g. what decides Good / Bad & how much is allowed / not allowed). It may be very different from what other person sees as measure of 1 unit . What is Very God for us, may just be Average from other person’s perspective .

Shift frame – Change of origin

‘ Change of origin ‘ is another familiar concept in Coordinate geometry . Under this if we change point of origin from earlier ‘ O ‘ to a new origin called ‘ M ‘ , ‘ measurement ‘ of P will change who will then have different coordinates

If we desire a journey towards developing a more dispassionate , a more objective viewpoint ; we need to help ourselves along following steps

·        Develop an awareness of our “ Cartesian System “ --- awareness that we are actually carrying with us our own ‘ Frame of reference ‘ which can be a ‘ coloured pair of glasses ‘ . This will help us in being more conscious of our perceptions 

·        Take a more comparative view between two people than an absolute opinion on one

·        Taking self as the Origin ( starting point ) is seeing things from own perspective . Change of origin is looking at things from other’s perspective . Try and regularly do “ change of origin “ ; keep shifting and adjusting your position to different locations & see how you see the world differently . Better still , do “ swap “ of origin with other person & see the view from other person’s perspective – to refine your own .

·        Try & calibrate your ‘ Measurement Scale “ by learning about , ‘ alternative scales ‘ & settle for an acceptable scale across a larger audience

If you do this , you will realise that not just how complete / comprehensive your view becomes , but you will also amazingly discover how Universal it becomes